Thursday, February 21, 2013

This blog post is an extra special treat! My friend, local author SusieFinkbeiner shares an excerpt from her brand new debut novel Paint Chips. Susie selected this section of her book especially for my restaurant review blog!

This riveting book is the story of Dot and Cora, a mother and daughter, who must overcome anguishing past experiences to find true redemption and real trust, not only in God and others, but also in themselves.

What lies beneath the layers of hurt?

Author - Susie Finkbeiner

In my novel Paint Chips, Cora meets Steven in the middle of a rainstorm. They retreat to a small restaurant. This restaurant was inspired by “Nic’s” that once inhabited a building on Martin Luther King Jr. BLVD (or Logan St. to long time Lansing natives). I loved Nic’s, spending much time there in my high school and college years. They made a mean breakfast, back in the day, and a real strong cup of coffee.

I hope you enjoy this excerpt from Paint Chips.

We were dripping wet when we walked into the coffee shop. I tugged at my clothes, worried about how the water caused them to cling to me. We sat in a booth.

“You kids get stuck in the rain?” The waitress glared at us from across the room.

“She did.” Steven pointed his finger at me. “And I saved her.”

“Well, ain’t you just a knight in shining armor.”

“It’s sure hard to pass up a damsel in distress. Especially when she’s this pretty.”

I looked at him. He winked. I turned away.

“Well, after you’re done eating I’ll have an awful mess to clean up.” This with a teasing tone. “You wouldn’t want this old lady to work that hard, would ya?”

“What old lady?” Thick, syrupy charm. “I’ll tell you what. You bring me a mop before we go and I’ll take care of the whole floor for you.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that. It’s not your job, young man.” She pulled a pad of paper from her apron pocket and walked toward us, licking the point of her pencil. “Now, what can I get the two of you to eat?”

“Just coffee, please,” I said, embarrassed. I only had enough money for that. And not even enough for a tip.

“Gosh, you know, I think I’ll have the special.” He pointed to a picture on the menu. “That any good?”

“Best in town.” She answered. “How you like your eggs?”

“Sunny side up. And sourdough toast, please.”

“You got it.” She wrote on the paper.

“And can she use the phone?” He nodded toward me.

“Sure thing, sugar.” The waitress motioned for me to follow her. “It’s over this way.”

At the counter, I dialed the number for my office. The receptionist answered.

“This is Cora,” I said.

“Cora, where are you?” she asked.

“I got stuck in the rain. My car broke down.”

“Do you think you can get here? Mr. Jones told me if you don’t show up soon, he’ll fire you.”

“Then I quit. I can find something else.” I sighed. “Just tell him that I’m done.”

“What about your things, from your desk? Do you want me to bring them to you?”

“No. Just throw it all away.”

I gingerly put the receiver down, wondering at the words I’d spoken. I’d worked so hard for that job. I couldn’t understand why I’d been so hasty to quit. Anxiety choked me.

“Where’s the restroom?” I asked the waitress.

“Down that hall,” she answered, pointing.

The dimly lit bathroom made my panic worsen. Digging a safety pin from my purse, I made a small slice on my arm. The cut took the edge off my nerves.

She twisted my wet hair, rolling it into a loose bun. I watched her reflection as she pushed the pins into my auburn hair. She stuck her tongue out the side of her mouth and squinted her eyes in concentration.

“My little girl hates having long hair. If I don’t get it cut she’ll take my shears to it herself.” She smoothed the front of my hair. “I never get to play with anybody’s hair.”

“Thank you,” I whispered. Her motherly touch soothed me in an unfamiliar way. It put a lump in my throat. It had been so long since anyone helped me with my hair.

“Now, what happened on the phone? You seemed upset.”

“I quit my job.”

“Well, it must not have been worth having. Everything’ll work out for you. Pretty girl like you’ll find something new in no time.” She patted my shoulder. “And that fellow out there. He’s sure to take good care of you. He seems to really think a lot of you.”

“Well . . . .” I wanted to correct her, but she didn’t let me.

“Well nothing. I bet your folks are plenty proud of you. And a military man, too.” She washed her hands. “Any wedding plans?”

“We aren’t really—”

“Well,” she interrupted me again, “the way he looks at you, I bet he’ll pop the question soon enough. That wouldn’t surprise me at all.”

After drying her hands, she patted my cheek and walked out of the bathroom.

“But I just met him,” I said out loud after the door closed behind her.

I gazed into the mirror for quite a while. Part of me hoped Steven would leave before I got back to the table. I didn’t want to let anyone into my life, even for a few hours. When I got involved with people it always ended in heartache.

A different part of me wished that he would stay. I had to remind myself that he was just a man who helped me. Nothing more.

“I am so lonely,” I whispered. “Lord, I need somebody.”

Even after years of determining that God didn’t care, I still prayed occasionally. Superstitious, hoping for good luck prayers.

I walked out to the table just after the waitress set two plates down. One was in front of my seat.

“I didn’t order this.” I sat, looking at the eggs, bacon and toast. “There must have been a mistake.”

“Sure was.” The waitress placed rolled up silverware on the table. “That old cook back there just made up too much food. Don’t worry, honey. It’s on me.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“Ain’t no thing, darling,” she said. “I’ll leave the two of you alone now.”

She winked at me before walking away.

“That was nice,” Steven said, taking a bite of toast.

“It was.” My stomach grumbled at the promise of the warm breakfast. I poked at my eggs, bursting one of the yolks on the white plate. After dabbing at it with my toast, I took a bite.

“So, what’s your name?” Steven asked. “Oh, sorry. Of course I asked right after you take a bite. Let me see if I can guess.” He rubbed his chin with thumb and index finger. Looking at me, he pulled his eyebrows together in thought.

“Let’s see here.” His eyes were a rich, chocolate brown color. “Is it Peggy?”

I shook my head.

“Greta?”

“No.”

“Oh. Could it be Wilhelmina?”

The giggle coming out of my mouth caught me by surprise.

“I’m horrible at guessing.”

“Clearly.”

“Okay. Then you’re just going to have to tell me your name.”

“My name is Cora.”

“Cora? That’s a nice name.” He sipped his coffee.

“Thank you.”

“What does the name Cora mean?”

“Maiden,” I said. “I looked it up in a baby name book at the library.”

“The lovely maiden Cora.”

“What does Steven mean?”

“Crowned.” He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Like a king. My parents wanted me to have a healthy self-esteem, I guess.”

“Well, I guess it’s fitting. You’re the king and I’m the lowly maiden.”

“I really doubt that there’s anything lowly about you, Maiden Cora.” His eyes held a gentleness I’d never seen in a man before. “You seem to be full of the grace and kindness of a queen.”

We talked for hours. I’d never been so interested in what anyone had to say before. He told me stories that made me laugh. Deep down, from the stomach laughs.

Paint Chips is now available for digital download for only $3.99! Also, you can preorder the paper book, releasing in April.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

There is a new kid in town... well, sort of. The Avenue Cafe, formerly Gone Wired Cafe, is on Michigan Avenue just a few short minutes from downtown Lansing. With a new look and a new attitude, this kid is ready to rock. The owners wish to make their freshly renovated space into a new venue for Michigan brews, lattes, and music. This vision embraces a love for the Lansing community and its diverse, incomparable music scene. The owners also share a love of food.

Having frequented Gone Wired Cafe in the past, I immediately notice the new bar area. The wall that hid the baristas is gone, and an open, more inviting environment has emerged. The man at the bar, who takes our food and drink orders, is very friendly with a good sense of humor. Unfortunately, the kitchen is all out of the Veggie Burger mix to fulfil my order. This is a bit disappointing, but the bartender apologizes and makes other suggestions to satisfy my tastes. I go for Vegetarian Quesadilla, which I still do not see on the menu. Hmmm... Oh well, it is delicious! The Quesadilla tempts the taste buds with a generous amount of cheese, zucchini, mushroom, onion, and green pepper in a soft, flour tortilla. It is cooked perfectly and served with salsa. My meal is complete with their Michigan roasted house coffee, brewed with obvious care.

My husband orders the hamburger with fries. The hamburger, he states, is good but a bit too done for his taste. It comes with lettuce and tomato on the burger, and mayonnaise is served on the side. Also on the side, my hubby is expecting fries, which is offered on a new The Avenue Cafe menu. Instead, he gets seasoned fried potatoes with his burger. Again, hmmm... Sadly, he is not very happy with his meal.

I am hoping The Avenue Cafe is just working some of the kinks out, as far as the menu goes, because I truly wish the owners the best. The transition from Gone Wired to The Avenue Cafe has been fairly successful, thus far, with great bands from all over Michigan. A fantastic, new music venue and an upscale place to meet friends for Michigan brews and coffee will be a wonderful asset to the Lansing community!

A Little About Me

I am a wife, mother, beagle owner, college graduate, restaurant enthusiast, theatre lover, and coffee connoisseur. I began this blog to show my appreciation for the wonderful restaurants of Lansing as my husband and I set out on our weekly lunch dates! My friends and family have all been extremely encouraging in this endeavor!